Up close and personal with the BlackBerry Z10

Our take on the BlackBerry Z10 after spending quality time with it

A confession up front: I think that as far as 2013 is concerned, the BlackBerry Z10 (and its underlying OS, BlackBerry 10) is a huge deal. Much bigger even than other recent flagships, almost all of which are incremental upgrades to their predecessors. Innovations in the smartphone world are few and far between, and BB10 is exactly that – a refreshing take on a smartphone OS built from the ground up. And while it may not be perfect, it’s pretty compelling for a first-generation device, getting the basics such as a capable messaging / notification system and the keyboard right in the first shot.

Having spent plenty of time with the Z10 since its official launch, and using it as my primary daily driver (except the few instances when I’ve had to switch to another review handset), I’ve developed a liking for its smooth and refreshingly-different user interface. Not that the hardware isn’t noteworthy – it looks classy, the build quality is rock solid and the core specs are quite apt for a high-end device. Not having to switch to a BlackBerry-specific data plan is extremely convenient if you’re coming from another platform, and for someone like me whose primary SIM has nomadic tendencies, it is downright liberating. Its myriad gestures, shortcuts and other eccentricities do require a bit of a learning curve, but once you figure out how it rolls, all of them become second nature. I’ve gotten so used to them that I actually keep trying to switch apps on Android phones using upward swipes… the interface is that intuitive.

The Hub is easily its best feature – taking the concept of a unified inbox to a whole new level. Combined with the ability to let you take a “Peek” at incoming messages regardless of what you’re doing on the device, it’s definitely at the center of all proceedings, even though technically, it’s placed on one side. Setting up your accounts and importing contacts from the cloud can be accomplished in a matter of minutes.

Multitasking is a breeze and the Active Frames work well, though I don’t like that these frames are limited to just eight and you have to scroll to see all of them without any other way to control behavior. The drop-down settings pane is also quite handy for quick access to connectivity toggles. As far as apps are concerned, most of the basics are covered. There are native apps for Twitter and Facebook, popular online services like Dropbox and Evernote are integrated, and coveted third-party apps such as Whatsapp are slowly, but surely, making their way to BlackBerry 10. Skype is conspicuously missing, but is expected sometime soon. Android apps can be ported easily on to BlackBerry 10, and this is something that bodes very well for the fledgling OS – allowing it to piggyback on to Android’s already mature app ecosystem. Also, you will find plenty of very useful local apps for popular local brands such as Jet Airways and PVR Cinema, which enable you to quickly browse their services and even complete transactions. Some of these apps even support NFC – a wireless system for interacting with other devices by simply bringing the phone within close proximity of supported devices or kiosks.

Not all’s hunky dory though. There’s currently no way to distinguish between Android ports and native BB10 apps in BlackBerry World, and there’s inconsistency in the way these two different types of apps work on the device. The native maps are a joke, though to a small extent, it redeems itself thanks to MapmyIndia’s free navigation app available for Indian users. Next, stock apps such as the music player and the camera are a tad too rudimentary, lacking customization options and features such as audio enhancements for your music, and HDR and panorama modes in the camera. Also, citing lack of API support, many third-party apps such as battery percentage indicators and LED customization apps need to be kept running in the background to be able to work their magic.

So BlackBerry 10 and its launch vehicle, the Z10, don’t really get ten on ten in my books. However, regular updates that iron out its kinks, and availability of more devices – especially affordable ones –are key. It’s a solid first effort, and one that we expect should only get better.